Tubular supporting member



Sept 18A, 1951 M. s. DUNKELBERGER TUBULAR SUPPORTING MEMBER Filed March1, 1946 Tui 4 JIE. 5

IN VEN TOR.

M/L TON S OUA/( EFGE@ BY Patented Sept. 18, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE 2,567,926 TUBULAR SUPPORTING MEMBER Milton S. Dunkelberger,Dayton, Ohio Application March 1, 1946, Serial No. 651,395

(Cl. 12S-294) Claims.

lactic or hygienic purposes, great diiculty is encountered in theapplication of the rubber member.

An object of this invention is to provide a support for a flexibletubular member having a closed end and adapted to be rolled upon thesupport, the support holding the rolled portion of the tubular memberwhile the closed end portion of the tubular member is unrolled over intoposition to facilitate the handling thereof.

Another object of this invention is to provide a support for a tubularmember having a closed end, which tubular member may have a portionrolled uponitself so as to form an annular roll adapted to be supportedupon a cup-shaped support, which support may be used in displacing avportion of the tubular member, which displaced x portion may besubjected to a test.

Other objects and advantages reside in the construction of parts, thecombination thereof and the mode of operation as will become moreapparent from the following description.

Referring to the drawings, Figure l is a longitudinal cross sectionalView showing a llexible Ytubular member having a closed end and a rollportion supported upon a supporting member.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the sup- ,port showingindentations used for the purpose of identification. 'Figure V3 is aperspective side elevational view lwith the supporting ring in position.

. l Figure 4 is a View similar to Figure 3 but showing the supportingring partially removed and in section. l

Figure 5 is a cross sectional view of a modifica- Vtion. I n

' In ythe drawings, the reference character I0 in `dicates a rubbertubular member provided with la closed end I 2. .before use is generallyrolled or coiled into a ring.

The open end of member I0 These rubber members may be shipped, packedand stored in this condition. In the past, when using the rubber member,the member of .the body to be covered has its end inserted against,theclosed end of the rubber member and then the member is unrolled, soas to be stretched over the member of the body to be protected. This isoftentimes a diicult manipulation, for the reason that when rolling therubber, the rolled portion is not easily stretched. I

To facilitate insertion of the member of the body, the rubber member maybe partially unrolled and the coil or roll I4 of the rubber memberrolled upon a ring or supporting member I6. This ring I6 may be madefrom metal, plastic molding material or any other suitable material,having the required rigidity. In Figure 1, the roll portion has beenshown schematically at I4. Ink this particular figure only a smallnumber of the convolutions have been shown. In actual use the rollportion may consist of a large number of convolutions. Furthermore, inthis ligure the thickness of the rubber member has been greatlyexaggerated, for convenience in drawing. As is well known to thoseskilled in the art, these rubber members, especially if used forprophylactic purposes, are extremely thin and of light weight.

The ring or supporting member I6 has a pair of rib-like .marginalportions I8 and 20, cooperating to form an 'annular groove 22 that isconcave in cross sectional area, as clearly seen in Figures 1 and 4.This annular groove forms a seat for the rolled rubber. A portion of themember Iof the body to be protected has been shown schematically at 26.The end of member 26 is projected into the tubular member I0, having theroll I4 supported upon the ring I6, as shown in Figure 3.

As may be seen in Figure 4, the roll I4 is rolled or stripped of thering I6, so that the ring I6 may be removed and the balance of therubber member rolled upon the member of the body to be protwted. As maybe clearly seen in Figure 4,

the tubular rubber member I0 has been unrolled over and beyond thetapered or curved end por'- tion of the member to be protected, so as topermit easy unrolling of the portion of the rubber forming the roll I4.The ring or supporting member I6 forms a temporary support for the rollI4 of the rubber member I0.

As may be clearly seen in Figures l, 3 and 4, the rubber member l)extends through the ring I6 and the oo il I4 is so positioned on thering IE that the roll portion of the rubber member may be unrolled fromthe supporting member I6.` In order to facilitate unrolling of therubber member, the rubber member must project through the ring orsupporting member I6 and the exposed portion of the ring I6 directed t0-Wards the closed end I2 of the rubber member I0.

In order to provide identification marks that may be felt, any suitableindentations or irregularities, such as notches 30, may be cut or formedin the rib 2), that is, the exposed rib of the supporting member. Theseirregularities or identification marks may be felt by touching the ringor supporting member I6. The member of the human body should enter thering from the side opposite the identification marks so as to positionthe rubber member I0 upon a member of the human body, without the memberof the body being visible.

Due to the fact that the rubber member is made from flimsy, light weightmaterial, and due to the fact that the rubber member may be used inassociation with delicate tissues, all surfaces of the ring I6 arepreferably highly polished, so as to present a smooth surface that isnot likely to injure the rubber member or the member of the body, Aslight hole in the rubber'member may defeat its usefulness.

It has been recommended by Vmedical authorities to test the rubbermembers for leaks and defects when intended for prophylactic or hygienicuse. In the modification disclosed in Figure 5, a supporting member forthe rubber member has been shown, which supporting member may also beused as a testing member. modification a tubular cup-shaped member 32 isprovided with a pair of parallel ribs 34 and 36, located on oppositesides of an annular groove 38. rIhe ribs 34 and 36, together with theannular gro-ove 38, correspond with the ribs I8 and 29 and the annulargroove 22, shown in connection with the preferred embodiment.

A bulbous suction device has been shown for withdrawing air from member32. This suction device includes a plurality of radially disposedapertures itil, registering with a longitudinally' disposed aperture 42,provided with a check valve 4:3 that may consist of a ball. An annulardisclike member 4B is positioned in the bottom of the closed end ofmember 32. A rubber bulb 50 is provided With a valve member 52, having aball 54 used in closing an aperture 56. The ball 54 is positioned in thevalve member 52 mounted in a suitable aperture in theV bulb 5B oppositethe aperture extending into member 32. The rubber member l has the rollM positioned in the annular groove or recess 38 after it has beensufficiently cnwound, so as to leave a portion of the rubber member l@available for positioning inthe cup-shaped member 32. After the roll l@has been positioned in the recess 38, the bulb 50 may be actuated, so asto pump the air out of member 32, creating a vacuum between members l0and 32. rIhe disc-like member 46 prevents the end I2 of the tubularrubber member from obstructing the air passages used in creating thevacuum. Obviously, the rubber member I will be drawn into the cup-shapedcavity, as shown in Figure 5, and remain in this position unless therubber member lll has defects or apertures in the end thereof. If it hasdefects, air will leak through the defective parts, so as to permit theportion of member lo projecting into the cup-shaped cavity to collapse,thereby indicating to the user that the tubular member is defective.

When it is desirable to use the rubber member Il), the member of thehuman body to be protected is inserted into the portion of the tubularmember located in the cup-shapedv In this cavity. When the member of thebody has been properly positioned, the roll Il is rolled over the rib3S, so as to remove the roll portion I4 from the support, at which timethe cup-shaped member may be withdrawn and the balance of the rubbermember rolled upon the member of the body.

Throughout the specification and claims the rubber member has beenreferred to as having a closed end. The device herein could be used fora rubber member having an open end, as for example, it could be used inconnection with an elastic hose or leg protector, used by victims ofvaricose veins.

Furthermore, ring, as used herein, need not necessarily be a round ring;but could be a polygonal member having a peripheral seat for the roll ofthe rubber member.

Although the preferred embodiment of the device has been described, itwill be understood that Within the purview of this invention variouschanges may be made in the form, details, proportion and arrangement ofparts, the combination thereof and mode of operation, vvhioh` generallystated consist in a device capable of carrying out the objects setforth, as disclosed and defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

l. A device for usein testing and applying a rubber tubular memberhaving a; closed end upon an external member of the human body, saiddevice including a cup-shaped member having the margin provided with apair of externally disposed annular ribs cooperating to form an annularrecess for supporting a rolled portion ofthe rubber member to be tested,and means for exhausting the air from the space between the cup-shapedmember and' the closed end of the rubber member so' as to cause theclosed end of the rubber member to snugly t the interior of thecup-shaped member to thereby test the rubber member for leaks and toprovide a support for the rubber member to aid the application of therubber member to a member of the body.

2. A device for use in applying a rubber tubular member having closedend upon an external member of the human body, said device including acup-shaped member, the margin of the cupshaped member being providedwith an annular seat for supporting a roll formed from a portion of therubber member, so as to permit the closed end of the rubber member to bepositioned Within the cavity of the cup-shaped member to facilitate theapplication of the rubber member upon a member of the body.

3. A device for use in testing and applying a rubber tubular memberhaving a closed end upon an external member of the human body, saiddevice inclrding a cup-shaped member, the margin of the cup-shapedmember being provided with an annular seat for supporting a roll formedfrom a portion Vof the rubber member, so as to permit the closed end ofthe rubber member to be positioned within the cavity of the cup-shapedmember, and means for, exhausting the air from the space between thecup-shaped member and the closed end of the rubber member so as' tocause the closed end of the rubber member to snugly t the interior cfthe cup-.shaped member to thereby test the rubber member for leaks andto provide a supportfor the rubber member to aid its' application.

4. In a device for use in testing andY applying a rubber tubular memberhaving a closed end upon an external member of the human body, thelcorribination including a cup-shaped member having an openingsurrounded by the margin of the cupshaped member, said cup-shaped memberbeing provided with an aperture in the bottom thereof, the margin of thecup-shaped member providing a support for a roll formed from a portionof the rubber member, the closed end of the rubber member extending overthe opening of the cupshaped member, and means for exhausting the airfrom the space between the cup-shaped member and the closed end of therubber member,

said means including a bulbous suction pump exhausting the air throughthe aperture in the bottom of the cup-shaped member.

5. In a device for use in testing and applying a rubber tubular memberhaving a closed end upon an external member of the human body, thecombination including a cup-shaped member having an opening surroundedby the margin of the cup-shaped member, said cup-shaped member beingprovided with an aperture in the bottom thereof, the margin 0f thecupshaped member providing a support for a roll formed from a portion ofthe rubber member, the closed end of the rubber member extending overthe opening of the cup-shaped member, means for exhausting the air fromthe space between the cup-shaped member and the closed end of the rubbermember, said means including a bulbous suction pump exhausting the airthrough the aperture in the bottom of the cup-shaped member, and abaffle-like plate mounted in spaced relation from the bottom of thecup-shaped member so as to prevent the closed end of the rubber memberfrom sealing the aperture whiie exhausting the air to test the rubbermember.

MILTON S. DUNKELBERGER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the ile ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Profession, published in 1934 by the Gee BeeCompany, 184 W. Main Street, Waterbury, Conn. A copy of the publicationin question is available in Div. of the U. S. Patent Office.

